Josh Freeth (NZ) pegs out to finish his triple peel against defending champion Stephen Mulliner (ENG) at ParaparaumuTHREE GAMES PEGGED AT PLIMMERTON

The tournament opened with fine weather: mostly sunny and moderately breezy all day. With ground still damp from the recent rain, the notorious Atkins hoops are quite easy to run, up to a moderate angle. Conditions are most challenging at Plimmerton, with extreme variation in pace and significant slopes. Unsurprisingly, this is where games have been longest, and three games are pegged down.

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Stephen Mulliner's (ENG) defense of his 2016 title began with losses to two of NZ's young rising stars, Felix Webby and Josh Freeth. He avoided an 0-3 start by eking out a +3 win against journeyman Aussie Kevin Beard. Anther notable upset was Alison Sharpe's (AUS) +26 against top seed Reg Bamford (ZA). #3 seed Jose Riva (ESP) started 1-2, with losses to Jenny Clarke (NZ) and Jonathan Powe (ENG), both of whom were 3-0. Powe had three triples and conceded only nine hoops for the day.

With four players advancing from each block, the only guarantee of making the cut with no tiebreak playoff is to win at least eight of nine games. Seven wins is nearly certain, but it's best to avoid that third loss.